Leica R lenses - Can they match Summicron-C?

[chris ware]

Hey Reduser,

I had read in the past that late model, 1995 or newer, Lecia R lenses will closely match Summicron-C. Does anyone agree with this?

Thanks in advance!

chris...

 

[Zack Birlew]

If that's true, that might explain why I see Summicron-Cs for sale quite often as it may just pay to get those much cheaper Leica R lenses instead. Like Canon FD lenses versus K35 lenses, it may just be a minor practical difference. I would be interested to see what people say as "Leica" anything gets bid up and bought up right away about as fast as anything Hasselblad related on camera auctions and marketplaces. So, I'm wondering if Leica Rs might be worth looking at investing in myself if they're really all that sought after.

 

[Phil Holland]

I do not agree with this and they don't look like each other at all IMO. And if you want a nuclear personal take, Leica-R Summilux, Summicron, and Elmarit are prettier lenses.

Now compare those to the Leitz Summilux-Cs however, that's not really a good fight as that's a whole different bag of tomatoes.

There's a litany of reasons Leica-R primes have been so popular to Cine-Mod and rehouse. They are pretty. Only downside is fairly limited focal lengths, T stops versus the cinema variety, and putting together a nicely matched set.

I'm a massive fan of Leitz cinema optics, but each set is it's own unique thing with the Leitz VV and Letiz Elsie being somewhat beyond excellent achievements. Cron-C are very much their entry level set IMO. And I don't exactly put the M.8s in there as those are somewhat of their own thing.

 

[chris ware]

Thanks for taking the time to respond Phil. I appreciate that. I currently have a set of Zeiss Contax lenses and love them. However, I am looking for something different and the Summicron-C is beautiful, but not exactly inexpensive. Maybe Leica R could be the way to go? My Contax set older, and I am hoping for a second look that is more modern. Thanks again.

 

[M Harvey]

a second look that is more modern.

I'm not sure how much difference you want between your Contax set and a new set of lenses, or what exactly the term "modern" means to you, but I do think it's fair to say that Contax and Leica R live in the same universe as far as the look. Typical of this vintage look: a bit more gentle contrast, maybe a little softer, some vignetting, nice focus fall-off, etc. When I think of "modern," I tend to think, say, Sigma-- a more optically perfect look. Some people find this clinical/boring/lacking in character, others appreciate the lack of flaws and that the neutral character offers ultimate adaptability (the ability to mold the image through filters or post-processing). Also in this category, to my way of thinking: Master Primes, Ultra Primes, Zeiss Otus, and Leica Summilux-C.

I'm sure some people will disagree with my characterization of "modern," but we can probably all agree there are a lot of choices on the spectrum between Contax and Master Primes. In the budget range you're talking about, you could check out Zeiss Milvus (which I think are pretty clean and modern, but a little gentler than some options) or Tokina's cine offerings.

 

[chris ware]

Thanks for taking the time to write this. Yes, I'm looking for something more optically perfect. However, hoping it wont look clinical. I was thinking of Zeiss Otus and have been looking at these in the used market. I just bought one Milvus, the 21mm, and it's very nice. A step up from the Contax regarding sharpness. However, it doesn't feel too optically perfect. I haven't tried the Tokina cine line yet, I will also look into that. Huge thanks again!